Patty in Paris eBook

After every competitor had qualified, and was fully
prepared to begin, a gong would be sounded. Exactly
at the end of a half hour another gong would sound,
when every one must cease at once, whether the work
was finished or not.

As soon as the guests thoroughly understood what they
were to do great interest was displayed and competitors
were rapidly entered for the different contests.

Those who were artists took their places at a table
provided with water colors, oil paints, pastels, and
drawing materials. The clay modellers were at
another table, with ample provision for their art.

Many ladies who declared they had no talents prepared
to trim hats. All sorts of material, such as
velvet, lace, flowers, feathers, and ribbons were
provided, as well as the untrimmed shapes.

In another booth ladies prepared to make Japanese
kimonos or dressing-jackets, and in another booth
were materials for paper flowers.

There was a burnt-wood outfit and sets of woodcarvers’
tools, and Robert Van Ness declared that he knew he
could take the prize for whittling.

Another booth held crepe paper for lampshades or other
fancy work, and it was not long before every one had
selected an occupation and was prepared to begin work.

Elise, of course, was going to draw a picture, and
Patty concluded she would trim a hat.

As it neared the time, Patty threaded her needle and
put on her thimble, but was not allowed to touch her
material until the signal was given.

Henri Labesse was at the bazaar, and though his arm
was still a little stiff, he entered the competition
and was to model a figure of clay.

The gong struck, and everybody flew madly at their
work, anxious to complete it within the half hour.

Elise, who was methodical, began her drawing as slowly
and carefully as if she had the whole day for it,
reasoning to herself that she would rather hurry the
finishing than the beginning.

Patty, on the other hand, dashed impatiently at her
hat-trimming, pinning things on here and there, thinking
she would sew them if she had time, and if not they
could stay pinned.

Both the Van Ness girls were making paper lamp-shades,
and Rosamond was already well along on a picturesque
Japanese kimono. She sewed up the breadths like
a wind-mill, and whipped on the bordering rapidly,
but with strong, firm stitches.

She would easily have taken the prize in her department,
but the girls had agreed among themselves that they
would accept no prizes, even if they won them.

When the gong struck at the close of the half hour
some of the work was still unfinished, but most of
the articles were completed. And it was indeed
marvellous to see what could be done by people working
at their utmost speed.

Elise’s picture was charming, and Patty’s
hat was among the prettiest. Competent judges
awarded the prizes, and then the articles, whether
finished or unfinished, were sold at auction.
And they brought large prices, for many of them were
well worth having; and, too, the buyers were quite
ready to give liberally in aid of the worthy charity.